FF: Dooriyan aur Nazdeekiyan part 31 pg 116 - Page 35

Love it love ve it love it.

Pls keep posting. Show toh bakwaas ho gaya hai, ab fab FFs ka hi sahara hai.

Kya baat hai!!! It is so beautiful, so touching and emotional!!! 🥰🥰🥰

I love the fact that you go so intricately with all the details about their colleges times too. The way you weave the story, it's in such a way that I can activate picture all of that happening.

I love it super updated devika n anuj ki baatein 😳 n anu ki shyness 😳

Hey Noorie,

As always beautiful ❤️

Loved those nostalgic moments of college days, how Devika tested him, wo jhootha drink peena, how he got the magnets..and best was last, acknowledging how sexy they find each other..

Serial ka din kab khatam hoga intezaar hai...par ye FF ka din kaash kabhi khatam na ho 🤗

Hello Noorie

Thanks for the tag and putting in efforts to write the next part. Loved Devika's story hers and Anuj's communication. So simple yet serene. I got so much into the story that I visualized it while reading.

We all missed Devika so much. Especially at this point our Maan need their friend so much.

Good job on writing again as beautifully as always.❤️

So Lovely!!! Thank you for tagging me!!!

What an awesome update! Dialogues and reminiscing moments with Devika👏🏽🙌🏽👏🏽

Part 17

Anuj's lips touched every part of Anupama's face, dropping feather light kisses.

His fingers hovered over her shoulders, not quite touching her.

He gently nibbled at her jawline before tracing a path from her chin to her ear with his tongue.

Anupama felt her skin blazing with heat.

''Anuu...'' he breathed into her ear, his voice a hoarse whisper that tingled her.

"Ha..'' she replied, her voice almost as hoarse as his.

He watched her quietly for a few moments, bewitched by her beauty.

She opened her eyes when he did not speak.

Her fingers left the nape of his neck to caress his cheeks.

"Boliye.." she urged, unable to bear the silence.

"Tumhara Shayar Kapadia bohot laalchi hai!"

"Kya?!" She was clearly not expecting that answer.

"Hmm. College me 5 ghanton tak tumhe niharne ke bad bhi man nahi bharta tha, isiliye tumhari gali me aakar tumhari jhalak dekhne ke liye intezar kiya karta tha. Office me 8 ghante tum mere saamne baithi rehti ho. Par jab tum academy jane ke liye nikalti ho toh, jee karta hai ki tumhe kisi bahane se rok loon! Aur aaj.. tumhe kiss karne ke bad dil kar raha hai ki jab tak zinda hoon tab tak har roz tumhe aise hi kiss karoon!"

She leaned into him such that their foreheads touched, a slow grin adorning her face.

"Agar ise laalchi hona kehte hain toh.. main bhi utni hi laalchi hoon!"

She kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Is that true?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Ha! Bas.. ek musqil ho sakti hai.."

He misunderstood her concern.

"Kissing ka umar se koi connection nahi hai! Insaan utna hi jawaan hota hai jitna woh mehsoos karta hai!"

"Baat woh nahi hai! Aap itne phit hain ki aap toh 80, 90 saal tak aaram se jee lenge par.. mera kya bharosa!"

"Tumhe fit hone se kaun rok raha hai!? Waise.. fit rehne se umar lambi hoti hai, agreed. Lekin us lambi umar tak jeene ki prerna pyaar se hi milti hai!"

"Agreed! Jab Kanhaji ne jeene ka doosra avsar diya tha toh laga tha ki apne pairon par khadi reh paun, apne liye aur apno ke liye jee paun, jimmedariyan poori kar paun isiliye diya hai!"

Her heart bloomed with love that reflected in her eyes.

"Ab samajh me aaya ki aapse mil paun,aapka prem mile aur aapko prem kar paun isiliye bhi diya hai! Jitne bhi din likhe hain jeevan me, main har din aapse prem karte huye bitana chahti hoon!"

.....................

They were about to kiss when their phones beeped together.

Anupama glanced at her phone and rejoiced when she saw Devika's name on the screen.

"Devika ne 3 message bheje hain. Kya pata Bunty se baat ho gayi ho?"

"Itni jaldi kahan se hogi!"

He shook his head as he read the message.

"Rukavat ke liye khed hai, love birds!"

Anupama glanced over his shoulder trying her best to read the message that he typed a at jet speed.

"Devika ki bachchi! Jaipur me kitne sare forts hai! Why don't you get lost (in one of those)?"

"Aap bhi us se kam nahi hain! Aapko jo bhi kehna ho keh lijiye. Devika ke munh pe koi tala nahi laga sakta!"

"Yeh baat mujhse behtar aur kaun janta hai! Yeh dekho usne kya bheja hai.."

She had shared a screenshot of their video call, which she had taken slyly while MaAn were hugging each other.

The third message read "Sorry! Couldn't resist! You guys look so awwdorable together!"

"Aww.. dorable matlab?"

"Bohot pyare!" They smiled at each other, acknowledging the truth in her words.

Meanwhile, Devika replied to his message saying "Ha, ha, ha! In your dreams!"

As Anuj tapped a message on his phone thanking Devika, Anupama decided to tease him.

"Waise aaj maine aapka jhoot pakad liya!"

He immediately turned towards her, placing the phone back on the coffee table.

"Kaunsa wala?" He frowned in confusion.

"Kaunsa wala matlab?! Kitne jhoot bole hain aaj tak?"

"Umm.. Kabhi gine nahi hain!" he smiled, eyes shining with mirth.

"Achchha?! Ab aapne mujhse jhoot bola tha ya usse yeh toh aap hi bata payenge! Woh keh rahi thi ki aap jab Bunty ki rah dekh rahe the tab aapne mujhe gali se nikalte huye dekha aur aapko pata chal gaya ki main kahan rehti hoon. Aapne mujhse yeh kaha tha ki aapke poochhne par Bunty ne aapko bataya ki main kaun hoon aur kahan rehti hoon. Sach kaunsa hai aur jhoot kaunsa?"

"Obviously usko hi jhoot bola tha! Maine Bunty ko sirf itna poochha tha ki woh light pink dress wali ladki kaun hai? Usne puri kundli bata di! Woh Anupama hai, Jagu ke saath kathak karti hai, uski gali ki agli gali me rehti hai. Bohot padhaaku/studious hai! Kisise zyada baat nahi karti hai. College khatm hote hi usko nikalna hota hai, kyunki woh raste me apne bhai ko school se pick karte huye ghar jati hai!"

Her mouth fell open in shock. "Yeh bhi pata tha unko?"

"Is baat se sabse zyada chidh thi use kyunki tum initially Jagu ke saath hi college aati jati thi. Aur tumhe nikalne ki jaldi hoti thi isiliye Jagu college ke bad Bunty ke saath ruk nahi pati thi!"

"Oh.. Tab hi usne mere saath jana chhod diya aur main Devika ke saath jane lagi!"

"Devika toh waise bhi mujhe galat samajh rahi thi. Phir yeh bhi bata deta toh woh meri aur Bunty, dono ki complain kar deti!"

"Woh toh hai! Waise woh kya keh rahi thi aaj, work in.. pogress aur aapne jawab me phinoto kaha.."

He bent closer and spoke in a low tone.

"Finito matlab khatm."

"Ha, kya tha woh? Kya khatm?"

"Tumhe kyun janna hai?"

"Aapko nahi batana hai toh mat bataiye! Mujhe kya!"

"College me woh kehti thi ki tu jitna shy hai woh usse dus guna zyada shy hai! Tu jab Anu ko I love you bol dega tab bhi woh directly nahi bol payegi. Heroine hero se jo karti hai aisa kahegi, Radhaji aur Kanhaji ka reference degi! Tujhe uske moonh se I love you bulvane ke liye bohot mehnat karni padegi!"

Anupama gave an embarrassed smile.

"Woh mujhe bohot achche se janti hai!"

"Toh aaj woh hi poochh rahi thi ki abhi bhi mehnat chalu hai kya? Toh maine kaha finito, matlab tumne directly keh diya!"

"Samajh gayi!" she nodded.

"Devika aur meri bonding se jealous feel karne ki zuroorat nahi hai!"

"Main kyun jalungi bhala!? Baat meri ho rahi thi isiliye poochhna chahti thi."

"Oh.. I see! Main bhi kuch poochhna chahta hoon."

When he took her hands his voice was dead serious and his eyes held a pleading look.

"Actually ek request karni thi tumse.."

His words and tone made her sit up straight.

"Ha, boliye ne.."

"Anu, maine hamesha yeh hi mana hai ki tum ek shehzadi ki life deserve karti ho! College me main woh life tumhe de nahi paya aur ab bhi main kuch khaas nahi kar paya."

She was about to protest but he intervened.

"Pehle meri puri baat sun lo. Ab tumse pyar karne ke alava, main tumhe pamper bhi karna chahta hoon! Tumhari har chhoti se chhoti khwahish puri karna chahta hoon! Tumhe woh sab dena chahta hoon jiski tum haqdaar ho!"

He brought her hands to his lips.

"Bina paison ki, logon ki ya kisi aur cheez ki parvah kiye, please.. Please allow me to treat you like my queen!"

The sincerity with which he voiced his wish melted her resolve.

"Main aapko nahi rokungi kyunki main samajhti hoon ki yeh sab aapke liye kya mayine rakhta hai!"

Raising his hands to her lips she kissed each in turn.

"Bas itna bata dijiye ki main kya karoon? Aapko main pesal/special kaise mehsoos karaun?"

"Tumhe kuch karne ki zuroorat nahi hai, meri jaan! Tumne mujhe apne dil me jagah di, meri pasand, napasand ka dhyan rakha, humari feelings ki parvah ki.. woh hi kafi hai! Tum baitho, main abhi aaya!"

Picking up the phone he left abruptly. She was sure he was up to something.

"Aapne toh pehle hi mujhe apni palkon pe bitha ke rakha hai! Phir kehte hain main kuch nahi kar paya! Jab khud ki bari aati hai toh chhoti se chhoti baat se santust ho jate hain!"

One thought led to another and her mind came up with a small yet significant idea.

"Aaj main bhi aapko dungi ek chhota sa par.. aww.. dorable sa gipht!"

She smiled to herself, anticipating his reaction.

.................

When he came back to the bedroom, Anuj found Anupama in front of the vanity table.

She had already wrapped her saree like a shawl over both shoulders.

And it appeared as though she was scrutinizing her appearance.

"Kya dekh rahi ho?"

"woh.. Maine socha selphie khichne se pehle lipshtick laga loon. Tab dekha ki aankhon ke neeche kitne kale gadhdhe ho gaye hain! Selphie achchi nahi aayegi.."

The disappointment was evident in her voice.

"Mere pass ek idea hai!"

He opened the wardrobe and rummaged through the drawer.

"Yeh lo. Yeh unisex shades umm.. goggles hain."

"Toh aap..?"

"Mere pass doosre hain."

"Theek chhe. Thank you!"

The colour returned to her face alongwith a sweet smile.

"Let's go!" he said grabbing the second pair of sunglasses.

"Kahan?"

"Lunch ke liye! Hotel me Christmas special buffet lunch tha but I was not sure woh tumhe pasand aayega ya nahi. Isiliye maine kal Samar se pata kiya ki tumhe kya khana pasand hai aur tumhare liye terrace pe private lunch arrange karvaya! Thand hai aur zyada dhoop bhi nahi nikalti hai. Toh maine socha terrace pe privacy bhi mil jayegi aur tumhari pasand ka khana bhi!"

"Aur aapki pasand ka khana kab khayenge?"

"Kal! Hum lunch ke bad hi Ahmedabad ke liye niklenge. Filhaal chalein?"

He offered his hand which she gladly accepted.

.............

While entering the lift, Anupama created an image of the terrace in her mind.

She expected a gazebo lined with curtains, as she had seen in the five star hotel in Mumbai.

That gazebo would probably house a table and couple of chairs.

Expensive flowers like lilies and orchids would greet her alongwith soft music.

Anuj, being the gentleman that he was, would pull the chair for her.

But the sight which greeted her was totally different.

The terrace was lined with strings of colourful fairy lights.

There was a large high back chair placed on one end, which resembled a bird cage.

It had a semi circular seat covered with velvet that eliminated the need for having two separate chairs as well as the distance which such chairs usually created between diners.

The chair back was lined with plush silk cushions that dazzled in the light which flitted through the vertical slots of the birdcage.

A round table was placed directly in front of the chair. It had a huge bouquet of white frangipani flowers among other things.

The path which led to the table was lined with bright purple butterfly pea flowers.

"Aparajita ke phool?!" she exclaimed with childlike glee.

"Ha. Tumhe pasand hai na?"

"Aapko kaise pata chala? Yeh toh Samar ko bhi nahi pata hoga!"

"College me Navratri ke dauran tum der se aati thi. Bad me Devika se pata chala ki tum yeh phool lene Jamalpur market jaya karti thi.."

"Ha! Ambe ma ko yeh phool bohot priya hain! Aur mujhe bhi! Jo phool thode murjhaye huye hote the ne unko main apni choti me laga leti thi!"

"Yaad hai! Mere saath aao.."

"Suniye.. Meri ek photo khich denge yahan?"

"Ha, ek kyun bohot sari khinchenge! Pehle mere saath toh chalo!"

As he uncovered the bone china bowl lying on the table a string of purple and white aparajita flowers emerged.

"Yeh gajra pehen lo. Phir jitne photos khichvana chaho main kheench dunga!"

Anupama couldn't believe her eyes.

"Aisa gajra toh maine pehle kabhi nahi dekha! Aur na hi champa/frangipani ka guldasta dekha hai."

"Tumhe jo phool pasand hai guldasta bhi unhi ka hoga na? Gulab ya aur kisi phool ka kyun hoga!?"

Her eyes glistened with tears of happiness.

"Gulab toh mujhe woh hi pasand hai jo aapne mujhe diya tha! Warq wala!"

His heart expanded with warmth and love.

"Yeh gajra bhi.. aap hi laga dijiye ne."

"Sure sweetheart!"

He kissed her hair after tieing the flower string around her bun.

"Aap abhi se itni khatirdari kar rahe hain toh saadi ke bad kya karenge?"

"Shaadi ke bad kya aur pehle kya, hum aapke ghulam hain, sarkaar! Aap humse jo chahe karva lijiyega! I am yours to command!"

He bowed his head before her, making her blush.

"Ab chalo, photos khichne. Pehle tumhari solo pictures le loon phir selfies, hmm?"

The shyness that hadn't made an appearance in the suite overtook her when he placed an arm around her, pulling her closer to himself for the selfie.

"Koi.. dekh lega toh?" Her eyes nervously scanned the vicinity.

"Kaun hai yahan pe?"

"Koi waiter aa gaya toh? Aur woh.. CCTV camera hua toh?"

"Don't worry. Jab tak main call nahi karunga tab tak koi nahi aayega. Maine kaha tha na is hotel me humari privacy bani rahegi? Relax!"

His words reassured her and he felt her ease into his hold.

He leaned over and pressed his lips to her cheek for one of the selfies and she followed suit for the next.

Her caught her hand when she tried to wipe off the lipstick mark on his cheek with her pallu.

"Saree kyun kharab kar rahi ho? Haath se mita do.."

She rubbed her palm against his cheek.

"Better! Come with me.."

Holding her hand he guided her to the chair and helped her into it.

"Comfortable?"

He sat down beside her after she nodded in reply.

...............

The chirping of birds serenaded MaAn as they sat next to each other, enjoying the solitude alongwith the lunch.

The tropical scent of the frangipani flowers enchanted them as they took turns to feed each other.

The deep red hue on Anupama's cheeks was constant as Anuj occasionally nibbled her finger tips and peppered them with kisses whilst eating.

Anuj felt warm in the cold December afternoon all thanks to the company of his love!

"Aapko in cheejon me se sabse jyada kya pasand aaya?" asked Anupama once they were through with the starters and main course.

"Mujhe Punjabi khana zyada pasand nahi hai. Par yeh paneer ki sabzi aur Kulcha kafi achchha laga!"

"Mujhe banana aata hai. Main Amdavad jakar aapko banakar khilaungi!"

"Thank you! Tumhe khana pasand aaya na? Samar ne kaha tha ki Gujarati cuisine ke bad second best tumhe Punjabi cuisine lagta hai isiliye maine yeh choose kiya."

"Ha, ha! Sahi kiya aapne! Thank you! Sab kuch bohot achcha tha!"

"Great! Time for desert!"

He called the manager and the waiter soon came up with a tray containing a ball of white chocolate lined with a red ribbon. It also had a hammer and a glass jar placed alongside.

Another waiter followed him with finger bowls.

Anupama waited till they were left alone.

"Yeh wala cake maine dekha hai. Sweety ne video dikhaya tha. Us ki saheli ke birthday me aisa hi cake tha."

"Ise pinata cake kehte hain."

He lifted the hammer off the tray.

"Lo.."

"Main?" she seemed unsure and surprised.

"Ha, main! Ek do, bar marte hi toot jayega."

"Us se pehle main iska photo le leti hoon. Jara aapka phone denge?"

...............

The chocolate globe disintegrated to reveal a small plum cake.

"Aapko meetha pasand hai ne toh aap pehle khaiye."

"Nahi, nahi. Yeh toh tumhe hi khana hai! Zara sambhal ke matlab.. aaram se khana, haan?"

"Toh aap.. jara bhi nahi chakhenge?"

"Nahi. Main bas yeh Christmas pudding khaunga!"

He took the desert spoon and dug into the jar of pudding.

"Khao, khao.." he prodded, while she eyed him suspiciously.

"Anuj toh kabhi meetha khane se mana nahi karte hain? Phir aaj kyun?" she wondered.

She saw him stealing sidelong glances at her.

"Hmm.. Lagta hai is cake me koi angoothi chhupayi hai! Tab hi apne liye alag cheej mangvayi aur mujhe kaha ki sambhal ke khana.." she thought to herself with a smile.

She carefully bit into the plum cake.

After a few bites her spoon encountered a piece of metal.

She was most astonished to find a pair of silver toe rings tied together.

A crescent moon was engraved on top of a radiating sun on both the rings.

He hid his smile while pretending to be busy eating his desert.

"Yeh toh.. bichhiyan hain?"

"Ha!" he spoke from behind the spoon.

"Mujhe toh laga.. angoothi hogi."

"Angoothi pehenne ki jagah bachi hai tumhari ungliyon me!?" he exclaimed while finishing off the pudding.

"Dekho toh kaun bol rahe hai?! Jo khud char, char angoothiyaan pehenkar ghumte hain!"

"Phir bhi gordhana/engagement ki angoothi ki jagah hai mere haath me. Tumhare haath me toh woh bhi nahi hai! Phir gordhana me toh angoothi pehenaunga hi, toh maine socha.."

"Bohot achchi hain! Par yeh saubhagya ki nisani hai ne? Isiliye main saadi se pehle nahi pehen paungi."

"Saubhagya wali bichchiyan woh.. ma ki shaadi ki rakhi hui hain tumhare liye. Woh tum shaadi ke bad pehen lena. Yeh toh main kuch aur hi sochkar laya tha.."

He wiped his mouth and hands with the napkin after using the finger bowl.

Then he waited till she was through before shifting the table away from the high chair.

"Aaram se Anuj.." she cautioned.

"May I?" he asked extending his hand.

She wordlessly placed the toe rings on his open palm.

He kneeled down before her and she clutched his shoulders while he removed her sandals.

He slid the toe rings on her middle toes without breaking eye contact with her.

"Nazron ke saamne mannat hai,

Jiske kadmon me jannat hai!

Chand, suraj jhukein jiske aage,

Andhera jise dekh door bhage,

Hum jis ki muhabbat me unmat/paagal hai

Us malika/queen ki is dil par hukumat hai!"

.............

He left her speechless yet again with the outpouring of his love.

She helped him to his feet and waited till he sat down beside her.

Then she took his smiling face in her hands and planted a soft kiss on his mouth.

He caught her chin before she could pull away and kissed her, slowly and deeply.

A gentle breeze wafted through the terrace as the lovers tasted the flavours of each others' deserts.

Her hands remained on his face even when their lips parted.

She slowly wiped his lips with her fingertips.

"Thank you! Mere pass.. aapko dene ke liye koi cheej toh nahi hai. Main janti hoon ki.. aapne mangi bhi nahi hai! Par.. aaj main aapko kuch aur dena chahti hoon!"

"Kya?" he asked curiously.

"Naam! Ashu! Ashutosh!" she pronounced it slowly, allowing him to register it.

"Subha ma se baat karte waqt hum purane dino ko yaad kar rahe the. Jab maine sola somwar ke vrat rakhe the tab ma mujhse Sankar Bhagwan ke 108 naamon ka jaap karvati thi. Ashu.. matlab.. Ashutosh bhi Unka hi naam hai. Iska matlab hota hai bohot aasani se prasanna hone wale, jaise ki aap!"

His breath caught not because he grasped the meaning of the name but because he appreciated the thought process behind the first intangible gift from her end.

"Yeh babu, baby.. Yeh toh sab hi bolte hain. Mujhe laga ki.. main aapko us naam se bulaun jo aapke swabhav ke hisab se aap par jachta hai! Isiliye.. Ashu!"

She waited anxiously for his response while he continued staring at her, his eyes unreadable.

"Aapko.. achcha nahi laga?"

He drew in a breath before speaking.

"Phir se usko sunna ab meri zuroorat ban gaya,

Tune diya toh naam yeh aur bhi khoobsoorat ban gaya!"

He saw relief wash over her face.

"Tumne hamesha mujhe bohot unique naam diye hain, chahe Shayar Kapadia ho ya Ghalib Kapadia! Par yeh wala sabse special hai!"

She returned his smile with a wider smile before he enveloped her in his arms.

"Phir se kaho.."

"Ashu.."

"Hmmm! I love this name! Aise gifts mujhe zyada pasand hai kyunki woh sirf tum hi de sakti ho!"

"Aapne jo bhi sayari likhi hai mere liye woh mujhe padhne denge ne? Har sabd toh mujhe yaad nahi rahega."

"Bilkul! Puri kitaab tumhari hai!"

He promised to share his poetry with her as they broke apart.

"Ab neeche chalein? Tum thodi der rest kar lo phir humein training me bhi toh jana hai."

"Aur phir woh laal pari lake pe?"

"Ha, wahan bhi!"

"Main yeh.. guldasta le loon?"

"Of course! Tumhara hi toh hai!"

With a light touch on her arm he led her across the flower strewn path to the elevator.

She turned around to look one last time at the terrace before meeting his eyes.

"I love you Ashu!"

"Love you too jaan!"

................

Anuj noticed a sadness in Anupama's eyes as they came out of ABC hall.

He waited till they were in the privacy of his car.

"Kya baat hai?" he asked softly.

"Yeh sare bachche gareeb hai. Kuch toh sarir se kamjor/physically disabled hai. Par inki seekhne ki ichcha dekhi aapne?"

"I know. Bohot sare bachche aise hain jinke parents humari textile mills me kam karte hain. Main nahi chahta ki yeh bachche bhi bade hokar woh hi kare."

"Aur na woh chahte hain! Aur ek mera Tosu hai. Padha likha hai par khud se mehnat karne ki ichcha nahi hai! Pehle saas ke saath kaam kar raha tha. Ab unhone nikal diya aur koi kam nahi mila isiliye caphe beman se chala raha hai. Dance woh bhi bohot achcha karta hai! Academy toh bagal me hi hai lekin khud se kabhi nahi aaya Samar ki ya meri madad karne ke liye!"

"I can understand how you feel Anu. Tum bhi toh us se keh sakti ho na?"

"Ab utne bade, saadisuda ladke ko har baat samjhana achcha nahi lagta hai mujhe!"

"Tum beechh me latakti rehti ho na isiliye tumhara stress badhta hai! Tum yeh chahti bhi ho ki woh help kare par bolna bhi nahi hai. Ya toh baat karo ya phir bhool jao!"

"Sori! Main.. aapka mood kharab kar rahi hoon."

"Mera mood bilkul theek hai. Tum apna mood mat kharab karo. Hmm? Ghar jakar thande dimag se sochna ki baat karni hai ya nahi."

"Chai peeyein?"

"Ha. Hotel hi chalte hain. Mujhe change bhi toh karna hai. Suit pehenkar boating karne toh jaunga nahi!"

"Bhaley.."

A gloomy silence surrounded them as they left the premises.

Anuj decided to change her mood.

"Anu, glove compartment me blue pendrive padi hogi. Do zara.."

"Hmm.."

"Thanks! Ghazal sununga toh.. problem nahi hai na tumhe?"

She shook her head in response.

But the lyrics of the ghazal disturbed her.

Ye jo halka, halka suroor hai,

Ye teri nazar ka qusoor hai!

Ke sharaab peena sikha diya!

Tere pyaar ne, teri chaah ne

Teri behki, behki nigaah ne

Mujhe ek sharaabi bana diya

"Yeh kaisa gana hai? Saraab khud pee raha hai aur iljaam kisi aur ko de raha hai!"

"Yeh achchi ghazal hai!"

"Saraab peena sikha diya yeh achchha lag raha hai aapko!? Mera matha waise hi garam hai ab aur garam ho raha hai!"

"Areh, aage achcha hai. Suno toh sahi.."

She kept quiet for sometime but not for long.

Maine awwal toh unke saamne

Khanjar rakh diya, Kaleja rakh diya,

Sar rakh diya, dil rakh diya aur arz kiya..

Mere baad kisko sataogey?

Mujhe kis tarah se mitaogey?

Kahan ja kar teer chalaogey?

Meri dosti ki balaayein lo,

Mujhe haath utha kar duayein do!

Tumhe ek qaatil bana diyaa!"

A side glance told him that her jaw had dropped in shock.

He pressed his lips together to curtail his smile as she shot daggers at him with her eyes.

"Achchha! Isiliye yeh gana chalaya aapne? Yeh lasht wali line sunane ke liye, hai ne?! Aap hotel chaliye! Phir main deti hoon aapko.. duayein!"

"Anuj, aaj toh tu gaya beta!" he sighed aloud.

................

When they reached the suite Anupama twisted Anuj's ear.

"Kya kar rahe the aap?"

"Genuine aadmi ki koi value hai tumhari nazar me!? Tumhara mood theek karne ki koshish kar raha tha!"

"Aem? Mood theek kar rahe the ya bigad rshe the?"

He rubbed his ear which had turned red.

"Jo bhi samajhna hai samjho! Bas ek baat ka dhyan rakhna.."

"Kaunsi baat?"

He spoke softly in a confidential tone.

"Agli bar saza dena chaho toh haathon se mat dena, daanton se dena!"

He scurried to the bathroom before finishing the sentence.

"Badmaash!" She buried her red face in her hands.

......................

As Anupama finished her tea Anuj wore a hoodie jacket over his t shirt.

Then he removed all his rings.

"Kya kar rahe hain aap?"

"Tumhare smartphone ke browser me incognito mode hota hai na? (she nods) Yeh Anuj Kapadia ka incognito mode hai!"

He wore the hoodie and his shades before peering at his reflection.

"XYZ newspaper ne mera close up photo chhap diya hai jisme meri rings bhi dikh rahi hai. Aise jaunga boating ke liye toh koi pehchan nahi payega!"

"Kaise pehchanenge? Waise hi apni umar se chhote lagte hain. Ab aur bhi chhote lag rahe hain aap!"

"Thank you baby!" he said while removing his smartwatch.

"Main aapse badi lagungi!" she sighed dejectedly.

"Have no fear when Kapadia is here!"

He went to the living room after saying that.

"Pata nahi kya karne gaye hain?"

He came back with a red bandhani dupatta.

"Ise apne chehre ko dhak lo, jaise dhoop se bachne ke liye college me tum dhakti thi waise hi! Jis din main tumhe college le jaunga us din waise hi chalna. Purane dino ko yaad karme me jo maza hai us se zyada unko us hi jagah lautkar relive karne me aata hai!"

"Samajh gayi! Par yeh nahi samaji ki dupatta kahan se aaya? Aapke pass Bhanumati ka pitara hai kya?!"

"Woh kya hota hai?"

"Aapne woh kahani nahi suni? Bhanumati Devi ke pass ek jadui pitara/trunk tha jisme se jarurat ki har cheej hoti thi!"

He shrugged. "Waisa hi samajh lo!"

"Yeh lal dupatta kahan se aaya? Lehenga bhi khareed ke rakha hai mere liye?"

"Nahi. Dress hai!"

"Dress kyun?"

He did not reply directly.

"Ab der mat karo varna sunset miss ho jayega! Auto book karta hoon."

"Auto?"

"Ha. Mercedes lekar thode hi na jayenge! Incognito mode, remember?"

"Ha, ha. Ab yeh sabd jindagi bhar yaad rahega mujhe!"

"Let's go!"

.................

Anupama grabbed Anuj's shoulder as she climbed into the pedal boat.

"Sachavjo/be careful."

"Ha, ek var besi jau pachchi kai nahi thay/ ek bar baith jaungi phir kuch nahi hoga."

"Tumhe pedal marne me taqleef hogi toh rehne dena. I'll manage."

"Nahi, main theek hoon. Maine chai naste ke bad dawai kha li thi."

"Okay! All set?"

She nodded while clutching his arm with both her hands.

The cool evening breeze caressed them as they peddled from one end of the lake to the other.

Anuj dropped a kiss on Anupama's head.

"Pura din mere saath bitane ke liye thank you!"

"Mujhe apni rani banane k liye thank you! Aapka college me sapna tha ne mere saath Kankaria talav me boating pe jane ka? Dekhiye yahan pe pura ho gaya!"

"I know right! Pata hai Anu, mujhe yeh incognito mode ka idea kahan se aaya?"

"Kahan se?"

"Bunty se! Kankaria lake me boating karte waqt ek bar uske papa ke kisi friend ne use aur Jagu ko dekh liya. Tab toh woh fatafat pedal markar aage badh gaye! Aur ghar jate waqt Bunty ne badha hi elaborate sa bahana soch liya!"

"Aur woh bach gaye?"

"Ha, us bar toh bach gaye. Par uske bad jab bhi unhe boating karne jana hota tha toh dono aise jate the!"

"Tareeqa achchha hai!"

"Hum bhi aazmayenge Ahmedabad wapis jane k bad!"

"Aapne kabhi socha tha ki itne saalon bad aap use ajmayenge?"

"Kabhi nahi! Tab socha tha toh mauka nahi mila. Ab Rajkot me pehla mauka mila toh maine socha pura fayda uthao!"

"Mujhe yeh pani dekhkar Mumbai ki yaad aa rahi hai! Kitna maza aaya tha samandar me!"

"Mumbai toh theek hai. Wahan ka samandar kuch khaas nahi hai! Ek bar hum Bali chalenge! Wahan khud ka resort hai, private beach hai! Pani bhi bohot saaf hai! Wahan zyada maza aayega!"

"Toh kahan aaya yeh Bali? Vides me?"

"Ha. Indonesia me. Chalogi?"

"Ha! Chalungi!" she replied instantly.

They saw various birds on their way back and Anuj told her about the birds he was familiar with.

"Tum pichchli bar kab gayi thi Kankaria me boating karne?"

"Bahot pehle gayi thi Bhaves ke saath."

"Bachchon ko kabhi lekar nahi gai?"

"Bhaves aur ma ko hi lekar gayi jab bhi gayi. Bachche toh school, college ke doston ke saath hi jate hain. Ab main toh aapke saath aa gayi par ma to ab bhi ghar pe hi hai. Kahin jyada nikalti nahi hai. Soch rahi hoon usko kuch dino tak apne ghar lekar aaun.."

"Very nice thought! Aunty ke liye achchha change bhi ho jayega aur tumhe bhi achcha lagega! Tum batana unhe kis din lekar aana hai. Main busy hua aur khud nahi ja payi toh tumhe gadi de dunga. Tum unhe comfortably lekar aana."

"Aap jis din phree honge us din aap hi aa jana. Is hi bahane aapka gali se ghar tak mujhe lene aane ka sapna bhi pura ho jayega!"

He smiled while threading his fingers with hers.

The evening sky changed hues from orange to deep red until the setting sun was reduced to a mere line of fire.

Anuj climbed off the boat first and, like a true gentleman, held his hand out for Anupama.

She felt a throbbing pain in her knee while she stepped out.

"Tum theek ho?"

"Hmm.. Ab kahan?"

"Tumhe drop kar deta hoon."

"Aapka hotel najdeek hai yahan se. Aaiye aaj main aapko drop kar deti hoon."

"Noways. Mere hote huye akele travel karne ki zuroorat nahi hai."

"Pure Amdavad me akele travel kiya hai maine! Rajkot toh Amdavad se chhota hai. Kuch nahi hoga! Aap bhi thake huye hain. Aaram kar lijiye.."

"Fine. Par hum cab me jayenge. At least usko track toh kar paunga main. Raat ko auto ka bharosa nahi hai mujhe."

As they climbed into the taxi Anupama removed the dupatta first and then the gajra.

"Kyun nikala? Itna achchha lag raha tha!"

"Bhabhi ko kya bataungi main ki aisa anokha gajra kahan se liya?"

She kept the flowers carefully in her bag followed by the dupatta.

"Ise sambhalkar, warq chadhakar rakhungi!"

Then she removed her sandals to remove her toe rings.

"Yeh aap rakhiye. Amdavad jakar le lungi."

He nodded while placing them in his pocket.

"Woh guldasta aapke suite me hi reh gaya. Uske kuch phool aap taqiye ke neeche rakh dena. Achchi khushboo aayegi!"

"Neend udh jayegi uska kya?!"

She turned to find him pouting like a lovesick boy.

"Ashu.. Kal subha mil rahe hain ne hum? Aur kal toh ghar pahuchne tak, matlab raat ko 10 baje tak aapke saath hi rahungi main. 3 time ka khana hum saath me hi khayenge, bolo!"

"Thank God for that! Kal subha jaldi aa jana. Aur aaj please der tak mat jagna!"

"Pakka! Kal aapka interview hai ne? Toh aap bhi time pe so jana. Aur.. Mujhe jyada miss mat karna!"

"Shut up!"

"Maadi re! Itna jyada mood oph hai aapka? Bataiye, main apne phone pe kaunsa ghajal chalaun aapka mood theek karne ke liye?"

She was happy when the ends of his lips curved in a smile.

The taxi halted near the gate of the hotel.

Anuj reluctantly got down after instructing the cab driver to drop her safely.

"Aav jo. Bye!" she held his hand.

"Bye.." he replied curtly before walking in through the hotel gate.

Anupama sighed softly as she recalled their moments of togetherness.

There was a nip in the air and she clutched the pallu firmly.

Her life had taken a u turn in a matter of few days.

She thanked Kanhaji for giving her the opportunity to visit Rajkot and blessed Samar for his help.

Now they had only one day left to themselves before returning to the humdrum of daily routine.

She thought of ways to make the day special for him as she was sure he would leave no stone unturned to do the same for her.

One part of her heart was thrilled as she looked forward to being surprised yet again while the other sank at the thought of going back to Ahmedabad.

..............

Hope you like this long part. Happy Valentine's Day to all my dear readers!

P. S. First shayari by yours truly

Part 17 B on pg 59

Uffff that eagerness to kisss like that lifelong💕🙈...damnnn how purely he remembered & organise her favourite flowers & food dishes😭😭...loved the bicchiyaan ring gifted by anuj🙈💕

Pyaar se 'ashu' name dena that too with the thought of his personality ❤❤😭😭 (girl how do you find soo pure ideas😚...

Amazing to see them boating together as anuj wish fullfils 😍😍😍...loved the teasing way of anuj to cheer up anu's mood...

Mr Ashu jii is in noo mood to let goo his lady love ❤ ...

Loved totally this chapter ❤😍..eagerly waiting for next part ❤dearest 😊😊😊